THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST, 47 



where light refreshments were partaken of, and Messrs. Fincham 

 and French cordially thanked for the enjoyable and instructive 

 afternoon spent in the buildings. — F. G. A. Barnard. 



MARINE DREDGING EXCURSION. 

 The Queen's Birthday (24th May) was set apart for a marine 

 dredging expedition off the eastern shore of Port Phillip Bay. 

 Four members met at the appointed time at Williamstown, and 

 having waited some little time for two others, who did put in 

 an appearance, proceeded in the steam yacht Firefly towards 

 Middle Brighton pier, where we were to meet the yacht Starlight 

 with several other members. Nothing eventful occurred on the 

 run across, and, picking up two more members at the Brighton 

 pier, the party now numbered twelve, including two ladies. 



On arriving at Half-Moon Bay we anchored while lunch was 

 disposed of; but the rest was not long, as the members were 

 anxious to get out the dredges. Dredging was carried on from 

 each vessel, but, unfortunately, the wind freshening had raised an 

 uncomfortable sea, rendering it very unpleasant for such work ; 

 however, our company stuck manfully to their work for about 

 three hours. Starting about a mile off the Black Rock, we 

 worked in depths varying from two to five fathoms with fair 

 success, considering the roughness of the weather, and from this 

 reason were unable to carry out our original intention of dredging 

 as far as Rickards Point. We then steamed for Middle Brighton, 

 taking the yacht in tow, and dredging on the way. Parting 

 company with the Brighton contingent, we made for Williamstown, 

 reaching there soon after 6 p.m., when ample justice was done 

 to an excellent tea, thus ending a very enjoyable outing, made 

 doubly so by the kindness of Messrs. E. F. Cooke and C. J. 

 ■Cottell, the owners of the steamer and yacht respectively, who so 

 kindly placed their vessels at the disposal of the Club. 



The following is a brief hst of the principal specimens secured : — 

 MoUusca — 20 species living, of which Nucula grayii was the 

 most noteworthy, four specimens being obtained, Mr. Gatliflf 

 having found only odd valves previous to this occasion. Murex 

 triformis, Venus lamellata, Cytherea lamarcki, and Pecten 

 laticostatus were the most important of the other living species ; 

 26 species of dead shells were obtained, among which Ghamostrea 

 albida was noted, Polyzoa were represented by Mucronella 

 ■ ellerii, Microporella diadema, Chorizopora brogniartii, and Smittid 

 lansborovii. Among Foraminifera, fine specimens of Lagena 

 vulgaris were obtained. Of Diatomacese, about 20 species were 

 secured, belonging to the following genera : — Amphora, Auliscus, 

 Actinoptychus, Biddulphia, Coscinodiscus, Campylodiscus, 

 Emphillodium, Navicula, Pleurosigma, Synedra, Surirella, and 

 Triceratium. — J. Gabriel. 



